Antitheft light socket



Nov. 28, 1933. w A, ERVIN 1,936,871

ANTITHEFT LIGHT SOCKET Filed Sept. 10, 1932 INVENTOR Figures 1 I ill 4M A TTORNE) Patented Nov. 28, 1933 1,936,871 .ANTITHEFT LIGHT SOCKET William A. Ervin, Sacramento, Calif.

Application September 10, 1932 Serial No. 632,480

3 Claims. (01. 17s s1) It is one object of the present invention to provide means for preventing the theft of lamps from electric light sockets in exposed positions such as the hallways of public buildings, toilets, etc., in hotels and rooming houses, and wherever such theft is likely to occur.

It is another object of the invention to provide means of the character indicated that may be installed in the standard type sockets without material alteration.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a means of the character indicated that will be economical to manufacture, quickly and easily assembled in a standard socket, simple in form and construction, positive in operation, and high- 1y efficient in its practical application.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a lamp adapted to cooperate with the means above referred to whereby a positive locking is effected therebetween. I I In the drawing: Figure l is a side elevation of a portion of a lamp socket and lamp embodying my invention, parts broken away and partly in section.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the light socket embodying my invention, part broken away.

Figure 3 is a perspective View of the latch forming a portion of the invention. Referring now more particularly to the embodi ment of the invention disclosed in the accompanying drawing, I show at 1 a commercial type of light socket, with the inner threaded sleeve.

showing at 2 and the insulation parts 1 and 2 showing at 3.

The usual forrnof electric lamp is shown at 4; with the threaded portion 5 for screwing into the part 2. In the form of the invention disclosed the threaded portion 5 of the lamp is notched as indicated at 6, along spaced parallel lines lying parallel with the axis of rotation of the lamp.

The latch 7 is a metal bar of suitable dimensions having the end portion of one edge sharppad between ened as at 8, this sharpened end portion being bent laterally out of clearly shownat 9. I 1

In the side of sleeve 2 is formed an opening 10 slightly larger than the end llof bar 7, and directly back of this the outer shell 1 is somewhat enlarged as shown at 12.

In assembling the device the bar 7 is thrust down between parts 1 and 2 until the end 11 enters opening 10.

When the bar '7 is inserted in this manner it normally lays flat against the outside of part 2 the plane of the bar as with the pad 3 back of it, but when the lamp 4 V ,2 as a fulcrum, thereby forcing the end 11 outis screwed into position the upper end of the bar *PATEN T engagement with the threaded portion 5 of the lamp. In this operation the edge 8 of the bar is thrown into engagement with the several notches 6 in part 5 as the lamp is rotated so that when 1y locked in place by the with'a rowof notches 6."

By means of this construction the lamp can only be removed by breaking away the bulbous engagement of the bar the lamp is finally seated in position it is effectualglass portion whereby to relieve the pressure on J the outer end of bar 7. When this is accomplished the said upper end of the bar may be pressed inwardly to act upon the upper portion of part wardly and out of engagement withnotches 6 and permitting the lamp portion 5 to be unscrewed. v

In order to render the device perfectly safe as required by regulating and controlling author pletely insulated as shown. Y

It is to be understood, of course, that' while I so ,ities, the visible portion of the bar- 7 is comhave herein shown and described but one specific embodiment of the invention, changes in form, construction, and method of assembly and operation may be made within the scope of'the; I

appended claims.

I'claim: ,1. The combination of an electric lamp socket and a lever fulcrumed thereon, of the lever being, disposed to engage the threaded end of a lampwhen seated therein'to prevent its rotation in one direction, and the power end of the lever being disposed to project beyond the bous portion of the lamp whereby to operate the lever on its fulcrum as the lamp is seated in the socket.

2. A device of ti 1e character described compristhe working end I .95 open end of the socket to engage the fragile bul-f L ing, an electric lamp socket having an outer shell a and an inner threaded sleeve to receive the lamp,

the sleeve having an opening formed in the side thereof, and a lever inserted between the shell and sleeve, one end of the lever extending beyond the open ends of the shell and sleeve and the other end having a portion extending in- I wardly and movable through'the opening in the sleeve to engage a lamp.

3. Thecombination of an electric lamp socket 1 60 .the bar, 11, inwardly through opening 10 into and adapted to be moved through the opening in the threaded portion, and a lamp having a threaded end portion adapted to seat inthe socket, the threaded end portion having notches formed therein adapted to engage the sharpened edge of the lever.

WILLIAM A. ERVIN. 

